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Weekly Policy Update: An October Recap

This week, the October Focus newsletter was published for a more detailed look at policy, and other issues, please read Jennifer’s monthly policy update.

Some of the featured content includes:

GET OUT AND VOTE – A GUIDE FROM THE COLORADO BIOSCIENCE ASSOCIATIONWith the election around the corner, next Tuesday, November 6th, be sure to get
out and vote. To learn more about the initiatives CBSA has weighed in on click here to view the Association’s ballot guide. To learn more about the election process, all the statewide and local measures
and races click here.

FDA RECEIVES FUNDING IN SENATE PASSED APPROPRIATIONS BILLThe President signed into law this month an $854 billion spending bill to keep the federal
government open through Dec. 7. The spending bill was sent to Trump’s desk last week. It includes a boost in funding for the Department of Health
and Human Services, including an additional 5% in funding for the National Institutes of Health.

President Trump signed two bills (Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and Know the Lowest Price Act)This month, President Trump signed two bills
(Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and Know the Lowest Price Act) into law that ban gag clauses that were called for in the American Patients First blueprint back
in May. These clauses can be included in contracts insurers have with pharmacies — preventing pharmacies from telling customers they can
save money on a drug if they pay with cash instead of using their health insurance.

These bills are similar to HB18-1284 which was signed into law this past legislative
session in Colorado by Governor Hickenlooper. To learn more about CBSA’s support of HB18-1284 click here and to learn more about what is happening at the federal level click here.